This year, Juniper Village at Forest Hills wanted to make Grandparents Day extra special. A good number of our residents are usually quite active and tend to go out with their families often, but have not had that chance since Covid-19 came around. In an effort to create another opportunity to bring families and residents together, Juniper Village organized a Family Car Parade! We reached out to families via telephone and invited them to decorate their cars and come drive past our community on Grandparents Day to bring their beloved resident some cheer.
The turnout exceeded our expectations, and the families truly went ALL OUT to make their vehicles pop with fun signs and colorful balloon clusters! One family even had cutout pictures of their loved one taped to their car windows! Two different news crews also showed up to record the event, and footage was played later that day on both news stations!
Connections Director Sharon Helminiak got the idea to do this parade from a networking group. Upon reflection of the morning after the event, she said, “My heart is so full!”
Family members came from as far as Waynesburg and Erie, PA, to participate in the event. The residents were able to see their children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren! Executive Director Janet Wangler took photos of each family with their resident loved one and commented that she was so moved seeing the families and residents together.
It was a memory that will live in the hearts and minds of those at Juniper Village for a long time.
For more information about living options at Juniper, contact Bonnie at 412.244.9901. She would be happy to answer your questions and schedule a time for you to visit or see a virtual tour!